Patrol Announces 2018 Leadership Awards

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
 

OSHP News Release

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2019
Contact: Lieutenant Robert Sellers (614) 752-2792

Patrol Announces 2018 Leadership Awards

COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced the recipients of their 2018 Leadership Awards today. The ceremony recognizes dozens of state and district award winners for their valuable contributions to our state and communities.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year – Trooper James E. Hutchinson

Trooper James E. Hutchinson, of the Hamilton Post, earned top honors as the 2018 State Trooper of the Year. He was selected from nine District Troopers of the Year across the state. Trooper Hutchinson exemplifies what it means to be a trooper and is a leader among his peers.

Trooper Hutchinson has established himself as a resource to the Patrol and the community he serves. He prides himself in professional service and treats everyone with respect. Trooper Hutchinson makes it a priority to arrest impaired and drugged drivers. For the last two years, Trooper Hutchinson has worked a dedicated road patrol assignment in the city of Middletown where he has built impeccable relations with the police department, courts and other government officials. He gives back to his community by participating in the backpack program which provides school supplies for underprivileged kids. He regularly volunteers at the Lifehouse Church where he and his family attend.

Trooper Hutchinson joined the Patrol in April 2012 as a member of the 139th Academy Class. He earned his commission in October of that year and was assigned to the Xenia Post. In 2015, he earned the Certificate of Recognition. In 2017, he earned the Criminal Patrol Award. As a trooper, he also served at the Batavia, Hamilton and Cincinnati posts; the Patrol Training Academy; and the Southwest Ohio Motorcycle Unit.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Dispatcher of the Year – Dispatcher Tara J. Barnhart

Dispatcher Tara J. Barnhart, of the Bowling Green Dispatch Center, earned statewide honors as the 2018 Dispatcher of the Year. She was selected from nine District Dispatchers of the Year across the state. Her calm demeanor, positive attitude and commitment to service distinguished her from the other nominees.

Communications professionals are often the first point of contact for the public when need arises. Dispatcher Barnhart strives to provide the highest level of service to the public, her co-workers and the troopers on her shift. She garnered praise for her teamwork.

Dispatcher Barnhart joined the Patrol in March 2006 as a member of the 146th Academy Class. She earned her commission in October of that year and was assigned to the Defiance Post. As a trooper, she also served at the Findlay Post. In 2015, she transferred to the Findlay District Headquarters as a dispatcher. In 2017, she earned the Gold Star Award. As a dispatcher, she also served at the Bowling Green Dispatch Center.

Blue Max Award (Patrol’s top auto larceny enforcer) – Trooper Matthew D. Boyer 

Trooper Matthew D. Boyer, of the Akron Post, earned the Blue Max Award for recovering the most stolen vehicles of any trooper in 2018. Throughout the year, he recovered 24 stolen vehicles valued at $182,500, resulting in the apprehension of 28 suspects.

Trooper Boyer joined the Patrol in March 2015 as a member of the 158th Academy Class. He earned his commission in September of that year and was assigned to the Lisbon Post. He also served at the Canfield and Canton posts. In 2017, he earned the Ace Award for excellence in auto larceny enforcement. He also earned the Criminal Patrol Award three times.

State Criminal Patrol Award – Trooper Ryan M. May 

Trooper Ryan M. May, of the Delaware Post, earned the State Criminal Patrol Award for conducting the most felony case investigations with 101, which led to 131 felony arrests in 2018. The majority of his cases were drug related. Throughout 2018, his criminal seizures included 1,339 grams of marijuana, 50 grams of cocaine, 353 grams of heroin, 47 grams of fentanyl, 38 grams of methamphetamine, 371 pills and four firearms.

Trooper May joined the Patrol in April 2012 as a member of the 152nd Academy Class. He earned his commission in August of that year and has been assigned to the Delaware Post throughout his career. In 2014, he earned the Criminal Patrol Award.

Robert M. Chiaramonte Humanitarian Award – Trooper Willie E. Richardson 

Trooper Willie E. Richardson, of the Bowling Green Post, was honored with the Robert M. Chiaramonte Humanitarian Award, which recognizes officers dedicated to humanitarian causes on the highway and in their communities. 

Trooper Richardson is involved in educational endeavors and serves as a presenter for the Ohio State Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Program on commercial transportation law. He volunteers and is an active faculty member with Nationwide’s Trail Division Trucking School. The school teaches lawyers from across the United States about the DOT commercial motor vehicle inspection process. 

Trooper Richardson’s heart is entrenched in service to others, which is often displayed through his selfless acts. He has purchased spare tires, tanks of gas and bus tickets for individuals who were having financial issues. 

His deep faith is exhibited in his missional membership in Cedar Creek Church where he regularly serves as a leader of security during weekend services. He serves as a Ministry Leader of Cedar Creek’s West Campus Celebrate Recovery Program - a Christian based 12-step recovery program that helps anyone that is having issues with hurts, habits and hang-ups. 

Trooper Richardson joined the Patrol in May 1990 as a member of the 120th Academy Class. He earned his commission in March of the following year and was assigned to the Swanton Post. In 2007, he earned the Criminal Patrol Award. In 2012, he was selected as Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspector of the Year. As a trooper, he also served at the Granville, Toledo and Bowling Green posts, and Findlay District Commercial Enforcement Unit. 

Colonel Thomas W. Rice Leadership Award – Sergeant Thomas Halko 

Sergeant Thomas Halko, of the Sandusky Post, was honored with the Colonel Thomas W. Rice Leadership Award, which is presented to one sworn supervisory officer for outstanding leadership. The award is sponsored by the Ohio State Highway Patrol Retirees’ Association and is in honor of former Patrol Superintendent Thomas W. Rice. 

Sergeant Halko’s leadership and enthusiasm was immediately apparent from his first day at the Sandusky Post, and has been instrumental to the growth and success. His level of commitment to his people’s success is evident in everything he does. Under his leadership, the Sandusky Post’s OVI arrests went from average to having the second largest increase in the state. The morale at the Sandusky Post has been significantly improved due to Sergeant Halko’s leadership. In addition to his duties as a sergeant, he makes annual monetary donations to his local school system and donates clothes to the district’s needy children.

Sergeant Halko began his Patrol career in May 2007 as a member of the 148th Academy Class. He earned his commission in December of that year and was assigned to the Norwalk Post. In 2014, he earned the Criminal Patrol Award. He was selected as Post Trooper of the Year three times. In 2016, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to the Sandusky Post to serve as an assistant post commander.

Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector of the Year – Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector Anthony R. Lester

Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector Anthony R. Lester, of the Jackson District Commercial Enforcement Unit, was selected as Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector of the Year.

MCEI Lester began his career with the Patrol in May 1997 as a Maintenance Repair Worker 2 at the Jackson Post. In April 1998, he was promoted to a Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector and transferred to the Chillicothe Post. In 2012, he was selected as State Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector of the Year. He was also selected as District Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector of the Year 13 times. As a Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector, he also served at the Jackson District Commercial Enforcement Unit.

Electronic Technician Award of the Year – Electronic Technician 3 Eric T. DeVoe

Electronic Technician 3 Eric T. DeVoe, of the Electronic Technician Unit, was selected as Electronic Technician of the Year. An Electronic Technician 3 supports the Division by testing, maintaining, aligning and programming many types of communications and electronic equipment. Such equipment consists of radios, radars, lasers, facility video security systems and all electronic related equipment within a facility or vehicle.

Electronic Technician 3 DeVoe joined the Patrol in November 1996 as an Electronic Technician 1 assigned to the Central Installation Unit. As an Electronic Technician 1, he also served in the Technology Communications Unit. In 1999, he was promoted to an Electronic Technician 2 and transferred to the Central Installation Unit. In 2003, he was promoted to an Electronic Technician 3 and transferred to the Technology Communications Unit. As an Electronic Technician 3, he also served in the Electronic Technician Unit.

Ohio Trooper Recognition Award – Trooper Justin E. Daley

Trooper Justin E. Daley, of the Cleveland District Criminal Investigations, earned the Ohio Trooper Recognition Award. He was selected from nine district recipients across the state. The award recognizes excellence among troopers who are assigned to specialty positions.

He joined the Patrol in October 2001 as a member of the 138th Academy Class. He earned his commission in April of the following year and was assigned to the Fremont Post. He earned the Criminal Patrol Award three times. As a trooper, he also served at the Medina Post, Cleveland District Criminal Patrol Unit, Special Response Team, and the Cleveland and Bucyrus district criminal investigations.

Trooper Daley served in the United States Marines from 1994 to 2003.

Employee Recognition Award – Administrative Professional 1 Beth Stewart Bullinger

Administrative Professional 1 Beth Stewart Bullinger, of the Van Wert Post, received the award presented annually to recognize excellence by a professional employee.

She began her state career in May 2014 as an Administrative Professional 1 and has been assigned to the Van Wert Post throughout her career. She earned the District Employee Recognition Award three times.

Administrative Professional 1 Stewart Bullinger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training in 2006 and Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 2011 from Ohio Northern University.

Ohio Investigative Unit Agent of the Year – Christopher J. Moyers

Christopher J. Moyers, of the Cincinnati District Office, was selected as State Agent of the Year out of six District Agents of the Year across the state.

Agent Moyers joined the Ohio Investigative Unit in May 2003 and has been assigned to the Cincinnati District Office throughout his career.

Police Officer of the Year – Police Officer 2 Stacy S. Rainey

Police Officer 2 Stacy S. Rainey, Logistics and Security, was selected as Police Officer of the Year. Officer Rainey joined the Patrol in December 2012 and has been assigned to Capitol Operations throughout her career.

Family Member Recognition Award – Cera J. Prather, Piqua District

Distinguished Retiree Award – Retired Captain Brenda S. Collins, Bucyrus District

Note to Editors: Below are District honors for: District Trooper of the Year, District Dispatcher of the Year, District Trooper Recognition and District Employee Recognition. For photographs of award winners, email oshp@dps.ohio.gov with requests or visit www.facebook.com/OhioStateHighwayPatrol/.

Findlay District – Trooper Brandon P. Schreiber, Lima Post; Dispatcher Tara J. Barnhart, Bowling Green Dispatch Center; Trooper David J. Schultz, Findlay District Investigations; Beth Stewart Bullinger (Administrative Professional 1), Van Wert Post.

Bucyrus District – Trooper Richard L. Anderson, Sandusky Post; Dispatcher Joshua J. Wright, Mansfield Dispatch Center; Trooper Tyler P. Carr, Bucyrus District Investigations; Darl D. Snader (Maintenance Repair Worker 2), Mansfield Post.

Cleveland District – Trooper Tara L. Worner, Akron Post; Dispatcher Genell L. Campbell, Cleveland Dispatch Center; Trooper Justin E. Daley, Cleveland District Investigations; Linda M. Barnes (Administrative Professional 1), Akron Post.

Warren District – Trooper Charles E. Hoskin, Ravenna Post; Dispatcher Michelle D. Higgins, Warren Dispatch Center; Trooper Seth T. Howard, Warren District Investigations; Julie L. Szeker (Administrative Professional 1), Chardon Post.

Piqua District – Sergeant David G. Slanker, Springfield Post; Dispatcher Renee M. Kohl, Springfield Dispatch Center; Trooper Jeremiah J. Smith, Piqua District Headquarters; Stacy L. Mullen (Administrative Professional 4), Piqua District Professional Staff.

Columbus District – Trooper Spencer A. Large, Circleville Post; Dispatcher Dustin R. Magill, Lancaster Dispatch Center; Trooper Jennifer A. Delong, Columbus District Investigations; Lindi M. Miller (Administrative Professional 1), West Jefferson Post.

Cambridge District – Trooper Jonah C. Carson, Zanesville Post; Dispatcher John C. Ceculski, Cambridge Dispatch Center; Trooper Brian W. Hawkins, Cambridge Criminal Patrol; Joseph C. Simonson (Maintenance Repair Worker 2), Cambridge Post.

Wilmington District – Trooper James E. Hutchinson, Hamilton Post; Dispatcher Rebel L. Martin, Batavia Dispatch Center; Trooper Cristian Perrin, Wilmington Criminal Patrol; Monica L. Ray (Administrative Professional 1), Hamilton Post.

Jackson District – Trooper Nathan E. Lawson, Portsmouth Post; Dispatcher Garrick B. Payne, Jackson Dispatch Center; Trooper Marlin E. Folden, Jackson District Investigations; Joshua M. Henry (Infrastructure Specialist 2), Jackson District Professional Staff.

GHQ – Dispatcher Megan R. Howard, Columbus Communications Center; Trooper Andrew J. Edinger, Aviation Unit; Erin L. Lintz (Public Safety Intelligence Analyst), Intelligence Unit; Bradlee C. Berry (Maintenance Repair Worker 2), Training Academy; Tammie A. Wallace (Customer Service Assistant 3), Central Records.

Ohio Investigative Unit – Agent Steven V. Vassallo, Akron District; Agent Gerald J. Ferguson, Athens District; Agent Christopher J. Moyers, Cincinnati District; Agent Kevin J. Cesaratto, Cleveland District; Agent Courtland R. Price, Columbus District; Agent Brian C. Sargent, Toledo District.

Auxiliary Awards

The following awards are for the Patrol’s Auxiliary members who are an all-volunteer force that provides assistance to troopers.

William J. Duffy Award of Excellence – Lois J. Lust

The William J. Duffy Award of Excellence requires a minimum of 300 volunteer hours per year over three consecutive years.

Retired Auxiliary Major Lois J. Lust joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary in April 1995 and was assigned to the Marion Post. While at the Marion Post, she was promoted to the rank of auxiliary captain in 1998 and auxiliary major in 2013.

During the last three years, she has volunteered an average of 1,156 hours per year which includes riding on patrol, assisting at the Ohio State Fair, The Ohio State University football game details, sobriety checkpoints, shield details and working at the Academy store.

State Auxiliary Officer of the Year – Thomas G. Dittoe

Auxiliary Lieutenant Thomas G. Dittoe joined the Patrol Auxiliary in July 2008 and has been assigned to the Lancaster Post throughout his career.

In 2011, he earned the Williams J. Duffy Award of Excellence. In 2012, he was promoted to auxiliary sergeant and earned the Ulmer Award. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of auxiliary lieutenant.

In 2018, Auxiliary Lieutenant Dittoe volunteered 1,611 hours of his time in assistance with Patrol duties. This time included riding on patrol, assisting at the Ohio State Fair, The Ohio State University football game details, sobriety checkpoints, shield details and working at the Academy store.  

#         #            #

19-016